Experience the highlights of DominicaÂ’s northwestern coast on this day trip from Roseau, which includes river boating, a national park and time on the beach. Start on the Indian River, where youÂ’ll enjoy its lush, tranquil setting by rowboat. Then, learn about Dominica history at Fort Shirley, an old British garrison inside Cabrits National Park, before hitting the black sands of Purple Turtle Beach. A picnic lunch and hotel transport are included.

Your day trip begins with a hotel pickup from Roseau before a 45-minute drive north along the Dominica coast to the Indian River. When you arrive, your guide will give you a brief introduction to the river to start your tour.

For your first 1.5 hours, float down the river in an 18-foot (5.5-meter) wooden rowboat, traveling past mangroves and looking for local wildlife such as egrets, iguanas and hummingbirds. Your guide, while paddling, will tell you about the native animals and plant life along the river, and point out places where scenes from Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest were filmed.

Back on land, continue driving just a couple of miles (3 km) up the coast to Cabrits National Park, which sits on a small peninsula jutting into the Caribbean Sea. Visit the ruins of Fort Shirley, a former garrison built by the British in the 18th century for defense purposes. While learning about the fortÂ’s history, you can also enjoy its lovely views of Prince Rupert Bay and the town of Portsmouth.

Enjoy a picnic lunch here (sandwiches, fruit and bottled water) before making the 5-minute journey to Purple Turtle Beach, to end your day trip with roughly an hour of relaxation on the black-sand beach.

Your tour then finishes with a drop-off at your hotel in Roseau.

Roseau - Dominica, Dominica